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PROCEEMIVGS 

OP  THE 
EMBRACING  THE 

REPORT  OF  THE  COHimTTEE 

AND  THE 

Adopted  at  a  General  Meeting:  in  reference 

.^-•'^  TO  THE  PROPOSED 

RAIL-ROAD 

FRO  51 

Cincinnati  to  Charleston* 

CHARLESTON: 

PRINTFiD  BY  A.  E.  MILLER. 
No.  4  B-oad-street, 


THE 


RAIL-ROAD. 

PROCEEDINGS  in  CHAKLESTOIV. 

AT  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  of  Charleston,  held  on 
Thfusday  the  22d  of  October,  1835,  at  the  City-Hall,  con- 
vened by  the  City  Council,  at  the  instance  of  the  Chamber 
of  Commerce,  the  Intendant,  his  Honor  Edward  W.  North, 
was  called  to  the  Chair,  and  John  Crawford,  Esq.  appoint- 
ed Secretary. 

Gen.  R.  Y.  Hayxe  opened  the  meeting,  by  bringing  to 
their  view  the  proceedings  of  the  citizens  of  Cincinnati,  on  the 
subject  of  extending  a  Rail-Road,  from  the  Ohio  River  to 
Charleston,  and  explaining  the  various  consideration*,  which 
should  induce  the  citizens  of  South-Carolina,  and  especially 
those  of  Charleston,  to  enter  heartily  into  such  a  scheme. — 
Gen.  H  vYNE  concluded  by  mov  ing  the  following  Resolutions, 
which  being  supported  by  James  G.  Holmes,  and  L.  H 
Ken.nedy,  Esqrs.,  were  unanimously  adopted,  viz  ; — 

Resolved,  That  the  citizens  of  Charleston  have  seen  with 
deep  interest,  the  proceedings  of  the  citizens  of  Cincinnati, 
in  reference  to  "  the  extension  of  a  Rail-Road  from  the  Ohio 
River  into  the  State  of  South-Carolina,"  and  being  fully  im- 
pressed with  the  great  im[)ortance  and  immense  value  of 
such  a  work,  are  disposed  cordially  to  co-operate  in  all 
proper  measures  for  its  accomplishment. 


4 


Mesolved,  That  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  what  mea- 
sures it  will  be  proper  to  adopt  on  tnis  subject,  a  Committee 
of  Fifteen  be  appointed,  to  take  into  consideration  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  citizens  of  Ohio,  and  to  report  thereon  to  an 
adjourned  meeting,  to  be  held  on  Thursday  next,  at  J.2 
o'clock. 

The  following  gentleman  compose  the  Committee  : — 


GEN.  R.  Y.  HAYNE,  Chairman. 


Gen.  James  Hamilton, 
James  G.  Holmes, 
Judge  CoLCocK, 
JoH.\  Robinson, 
S.  P.  Ripley, 
Ker  Boyce, 
Alexander  Black, 


Charles  Edmondston, 
MiTCHEL  King 
H.  W.  Conner, 
John  Stoney, 
Thomas  Bennett, 
B.  J.  Howland, 
J.  N.  Cardozo. 


EDWARD  W.  NORTH,  Chairma^, 


John  Crawford,  Secretary. 


AT  an  adjourned  meeting  of  the  (Citizens  of  Charleston  ty 
receive  the  Report  of  the  Committee,  held  on  the  4th  iNovem 
ber,  18'i5,  the  Intendant  resumed  the  Chair,  when  Gen. 
Hayne,  from  the  Committee  of  Fifteen,  submitted  the 
following 


KEPOKT. 


The  Committee  appointed  at  a  meeting  of  the  citizens  of 
Chcivieston,  to  take  into  consideration  the  proceedings  oi  the 
citizens  of  Cincinnati,  in  reference  to  "  the  extension  of  a 
Rail-Road  from  the  Ohio  River  into  the  State  of  South- 
Carolina,"  <fec.,  have  had  the  subject  referred  to  them  under 
consideration,  and  recommend  that  their  fellow-citizens  do 
RESPOND  to  the  Appeal  which  has  been  made  to  them  by  the 
citizens  of  Cincinnati,  by  the  adoption  of  the  Addresjs  and 
Resolutions  herewith  submitted. 


ROBERT  Y. 
JAMES  HAMILTON, 
JAMES  G.  HOLMES, 
CHAS.  J.  COLCOCK, 
JOHN  ROBINSON, 
S.  P.  RIPLEY, 
KER  BOYCE, 
ALEX.  BLACK, 


HAYNE,  Chairman. 
CHARLES  EDMONDSTON, 
MITCHEL  KING, 
H.  W.  CONNER, 
JOHN  STONEY, 
THOMAS  BENNETT, 
B.  J.  HOVVLAND, 
J.  N  CARDOZO. 


RAIL  ROAD 


FROM 

OmO  TO  SOUTII-OA^OIimA. 


ADDRESS. 

The  CrrizENs  of  Charleston,  have  received  with  deep 
interest,  and  perused  with  the  most  lively  satisfaction,  an  ac- 
count of  the  proceedings  of  the  Citizens  of  Cincinnati, 
in  relation  to  a  contemplated  RAIL  ROAD  from  some 
point  on  the  Ohio  Riv  er,  "  into  the  State  of  South- 
Carolina."  To  the  appeal  which  has  been  made  to  us,  by 
the  Committee  ot  Correspondence,  composed  of  highly  re- 
spectable Citizens  of  the  States  of  Kentucky,  Indiana  and 
Ohio — we  are  prepared  to  respond  in  the  most  cordial  man- 
ner, and  have  no  hesitation  in  pledging  ourselves  in  advance, 
not  merely  for  the  citizens  of  Charleston,  but  for  those  of  the 
whole  State  ;  that  South-Carolina  will  not  be  found  wanting, 
hut  on  the  contrary  will  be  prepared  to  do  her  part,  in  the  pro- 
secution of  so  noble  an  enterprise.  The  idea  of  opening  a 
commercial  intercourse  between  the  West  and  the  South,  by 
means  of  a  Rail  Road  connecting  the  valleys  of  the  Ohio  and 
Mississippi  with  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  at  some  point  within  this 
State,  has  long  been  entertained  by  our  most  intelligent  citi- 
zens. One  of  the  ablest  and  most  estimable  of  our  fellow- 
citizens,  the  late  Stephen  Elliott,  seven  years  ago  pointed  out 
through  the  columns  of  the  Southern  Review,  the  facility 
with  which  the  commerce  of  the  West  could  be  brought  to 
Charleston  by  a  Rail  Road,  by  which  "  in  six  days,  produce 
might  be  taken  from  the  confluence  of  the  Ohio  and  Missis- 
sippi to  this  city,  and  in  five  days  a  return  cargo  be  delivered 


at  the  same  point/**  xVt  the  very  inception  of  our  great 
work,  (tlje  Charleston  and  Augusta  Rail  Road,  now  so  hap- 
pily accomplished)  as  w  ell  a>  at  every  stage  of  its  progress,  it 
has  entered  into  the  calculations  of  all,  to  seize"  the  first  fa- 
vourable occasion,  so  to  extend  this  Road,  as  to  make  it  a 
great  iiighway  of  communicution  between  the  Soyth  and  the 
We:>r.  Public  attention  has  from  time  to  tinie  been  called 
to  this  subject,  which  indeed  has  never  for  one  moment  been 
lost  si^^ht  of,  and  if  no  efficient  measures  have  as  yet 
been  adopted  for  its  accomplishment,  our  apology  must  be 
found,  in  the  magnitude  of  the  undertaking  in  which  we  were 
already  engaged — the  most  extensive  Rail  Road  yet  con- 
structed in  the  United  Stales — the  completion  of  w  hich,  w  as 
justly  considered  as  the  first  step,  towards  the  grand  and  mag- 
nificent enterprise  which  is  now  under  consideration.  Early 
in  ]H'33.  a  statement"  was  published  by  Mr.  Poi.xsett,  at 
the  instance  of  Mr.  James  Nicholson,  showing  "  the  compa- 
rative advantages  of  Charleston  over  ail  the  cities  South  of 
New-York,  which  are  constructing  Rail  Reads  and  Canals 
to  facilitate  their  communication  with  the  country  West  of  the 
Alleghanies,"  to  which  is  appended  an  interesting  letter  from 
Charles  Edmondston,  Esq.  conveying  a  mass  of  valuable 
information  on  this  subject. t  In  the  Address  of  the  President 
of  our  Rail  Road  Company,  the  late  Eltas  Horry,  on  the 
completion  of  the  Road  in  1838,  this  subject  was  distinctly 
brought  before  the  public,  and  the  extension  of  our  Rail 
Road  to  Knoxville,  Tennessee,  earnestly  recommended.  He 
states  that  two  Conventions  had  been  held,  one  in  June, 
1831, in  Estilville  in  Virginia,  and  the  other  at  Ashville  in 
N.  Carolina  in  183'2,  'Ho  collect  tlie  best  information,  in  order 
to  obtain  and  strike  out  a  new  and  uset'ul  l  oute  to  coniiect  the 
trade  of  the  Ohio  River,  and  the  great  valley  of  the  Tennes- 
see, with  the  Southern  States."  At  both  of  these  Conventions 
the  intei  ests  of  Charleston  were  represented, t  and  consequent 
upon  tiie  proceedings  of  the  latter,  an  appropriation  of  $1,000 

"  See  Appendix  A  t  See  Aprjendis  B. 

t  Major  H.  Allen,  and  Col.  H.N.  Cniger,  attended  the  former,  and  Aiitchei 
King,  Esq.  was  Chairman  of  the  latter  Convention. 


8 


was  made  by  our  Legislature,  "  to  defray  the  expenses  of  a 
survey  within  the  hmits  of  South-Carolina,  with  a  view  to  the 
location  of  a  Rail  Road  for  connecting  the  Atlantic  and 
Wrstern  waters"— but  for  want  of  the  co-operation  of  North- 
Carolina,  nothing  has  as  yet  been  done  under  this  appro- 
priation. . 

The  period  however,  has  at  length  arrived,  when  this 
work  can  no  longer  be  neglected  without  a  criniinal  su- 
pineness,  and  fatal  disregard  of  our  own  best  interests,  as  well 
as  the  duties,  which  w  e  owe  to  ourselves,  and  our  posterity. 
The  voice  which  has  reached  us  from  the  Banks  of  th(;  Ohio, 
invoking  us,  as  the  oldest  Southern  member  of  the  original 
thirteen,"  by  every  consideration  of  patriotism  and  duty,  to 
set  an  example  to  tlie  younger  States,  *'  by  leading  the  way 
in  this  national  enterprise,"  makes  an  appeal  to  our  sympa- 
thies, which  cannot,  and  will  not,  be  disregarded. 

We  have  examined  with  much  attention,  the  statements 
and  calc'ilations  contained  in  the  Report  of  the  Committee, 
to  the  citizens  of  Cincinnati,  as  well  as  those  embraced  in 
the  letters  of  E.  D.  Mansfield,  John  S.  Williams,  and 
EzEKiEL  BiRDSEYE,  which  accompany  the  Report,  and  as 
far  as  our  present  information  enables  them  to  judge,  they 
seem  satisfactorily  to  establish  the  following  positions  : — 

1st.  That  it  is  essential  to  the  prosperity  of  the  Southern 
and  Western  States,  and  the  full  developemeni  of  their  re- 
sources, that  they  should  be  connected  together  by  a  Rail- 
Road,  extending  from  the  Ohio  River  to  the  Atlantic. 

2d.  That  such  a  highway,  would  lay  open  an  extensive 
region  to  the  North  and  West,  which  is  now  cut  off  from  all 
commercial  intercourse  with  the  South,  and  thereby  open  a 
door  to  a  trade,  the  extent  and  value  of  which,  it  is  impossi- 
ble for  the  inost  ardent  imagination,  even  to  conceive. 

3d.  That  such  a  work  is  practicable,  and  can  probably  be 
effected  in  a  few  years,  and  within  the  means  of  the  States 
through  which  it  must  pass. 

4th.  That  the  most  practicable,  and  the  cheapest,  as  well 
as  the  shortest  route—with  regard  both  to  distance  and  time, 
must  be  one  which  shall  be  connected  at  some  point  with  the 


9 


Charleston  and  Augusta  Rail-Road,  and  which  must,  there- 
fore, terminate  at  Charleston. 

We  do  not  dsein  it  necessary  on  this  occasion,  to  exhibit 
in  detail,  all  the  data,  on  which  these  calculations  are  found- 
ed. This  has  been  so  fully  and  ably  done  in  the  docu- 
ments to  which  we  have  referred,  that  it  is  unnecessary  at 
this  stage  of  our  proceedings,  to  do  more,  than  merely  to 
lay  before  our  feilow-citizens,  a  summary  of  the  most 
material  facts  and  arguments,  by  which  these  positions 
are  supported.  Aiming  at  nothing  more,  at  this  time,  than 
to  direct  public  attention  to  this  subject,  so  as  to  induce  our 
fellow-citizens,  at  once,  to  institute  t.hose  preliminary  inquiries, 
which  are  indispensable  to  an  enlightened  and  judicious 
course  of  action — we  shall  content  ourselves  with  a  few  brief 
statements  and  illustrations, — chiefly  derived  from  the  docu- 
ments before  us — which  we  trust,  however,  will  be  amply 
sufficient,  to  ensure  the  zealous  support  of  the  people  of  this 
State,  for  the  measures  we  shall  recommend;  and  which  may 
also  serve  to  satisfy  our  Western  brethren,  that  we  are  dis- 
posed to  act  promptly,  zealously,  and  etilciently,  on  this  highly 
important  subject. 

On  casting  our  eyes  over  the  map  of  the  United  States, 
we  are  immediately  struck  with  the  separation  between  the 
Atlantic  and  the  W^estern  States,  by  the  range  of  mountains, 
running  from  the  northeast  towards  the  southwest, — terminat- 
ing in  Alabama, — and  forming  a  natural  harrier  between 
these  extensive  and  fertile  j)ortions  of  our  common  country. 
The  water  courses  which  take  their  rise  east  of  the  Allegha- 
nies,  flowing  into  the  Atlantic,  and  those  issuing  from  the 
western  face  of  the  mountains,  passing  off  by  the  Valley  of 
the  3Iississippi  into  the  Gulf  of  3Iexico, — have  tended  widely 
to  separate  those,  who  are  required  by  their  political,  social, 
and  commercial  interests,  to  be  closely  united.  In  the  infan- 
cy of  our  Republic,  it  was  not  to  have  been  ex])ected,  that 
any  strenuous  eflbrts  would  have  been  made  to  overcome, 
what  many  considered  as  not  only  a  natural,  but  an  insur- 
mountable barrier,  between  these  t  .vo  portions  of  our  union; 
and  we  believe  the  impression  has  been  very  general,  that 

2 


10 


the  SOUTH  and  the  west  would  at  no  distant  day,  be  dwidet? 
into  two  ^reat  empires,  having  as  little  coiinexion  wuii  each 
other,  as  if  they  had  belonged  to  dift'ereut  continents.  The 
rapid  increase  of  our  population  however  — 'the  wonderful 
developeinent  of  our  resources — and  above  all— the  astonish- 
ing impravernents  in  science  and  art^and^  especially  in  the 
application  of  the  mighty  power  of  steam  to  machinery — 
has  given  an  impulse  to  our  whole  country,  which  has  im- 
pressed the  public  mind,  with  a  deep  and  settled  conviction, 
that  to  American  skill,  enterprise  and  perseverance,  nothing 
in  the  way  of  improvement  is  impossible.    By  the  aid  of 
this  power, — added  to  the  general  impulse  which  has  been 
given  to  the  human  mind, — we  have  in  our  own  times  been 
enabled  to  make  greater  advances  in  the  last  half  century, — 
in  civilization,  refinement  and  wealth, — in  every  thing  in  short, 
which  tends  to  elevate  the  condition  of  mankind, — than  was  ef- 
fected in  the  thousand  years  immediately  preceding.  Steam 
has  changed  the  face  of  the  world,  and  the  fortunes  of  the  hu- 
man race.    And  if  "  time  and  space,"  have  not  been  anni- 
hilated," the  inhabitants  of  remote  regions  have  been  brought 
into  neighbourhood,  and  a  commercial  and  friendly  inter- 
course established  among  those,  who,  but  a  short  time  since, 
were  strangers  to  each  other.  Turning  again  to  the  map,  and 
tracing  (with  the  aid  of  the  documents  before  us)  the  lines  of 
communication,  which  now  exist  between  the  East  and  the 
West,  we  find,  that  from  the  seven  states,  bordering  on  the 
Ohio,  or  watered  by  its  tributary  streams, — consisting  of  Wes- 
tern Virginia  and  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois,  Ken- 
tucky, and  Tennessee — there  are  but  two  great  highways  of 
communic  ition  witii  tiie  ocean,  for  general  commercial  pur- 
poses.   The  first,  reaches  the  Atlantic  by  several  distinct 
routes,  between  New- York  and  Norfolk,  the  latter,  by  way 
of  the  Mississippi  and  New-Orleans,  leads  to  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico, — while  in  the  whole  intermediate  space, — embracing, 
the  sea  coast  of  Virginia,  North  and  JSouth-Carolina,  Geor- 
gia i'lorida,  Alabama  and  Mississippi,  estimated  at  more 
than  2,000  miles  in  extent, — *' there  is  no  direct  communica- 
tion with  the  Valley  of  the  Ohio,  even  by  a  good  post-road  ;" 


11 


so,  *'that  the  mail  to  the  northern  frontier  of  Geori^ia  and 
the  Carolinas, — not  -iOO  rniles  distant  from  th(i  banks  of 
the  Ohio,  is  actually  sent  by  Washinirton  in  the  District 
of  Columbia,  on  a  route  nearly  four  times  as  lon^."  This 
simple  statement,  is  conclusive,  to  sliew  the  pressing  ne- 
cessity of  opening  a  direct  commimication  between  these 
two  great  regions,  now  so  widely  sej)arated  from  each  other ; 
and  it  is  believed,  that  a  Rail-Road  connecting  the  Ohio 
witii  the  Atlantic,  at  Charleston,  will  furnish  the  very 
BEST  MEANS  of  eii'ertiiig  this  most  desirable  object. 

We  are  not  prepared  to  say,  whether  the  particular  route 
which  has  been  marked  out,  by  the  citizens  of  Cincinnati,  is 
that  which  should  be  adopted  for  this  purpose.  It  can  only 
be  ascertained  by  a  careful  exploration  and  survey,  of  the 
various  practicable  routes,  which  of  them  ought  to  be  prefer- 
ed.  Whether  it  will  be  found  practicable,  at  a  reasonable 
expense,  to  carry  a  Rail-Road  as  proposed,  from  a  point  on 
the  Ohio  opposite  to  Cincinnati,  throui>h  Kentucky,  and 
across  the  Cumberland  Gap,  into  the  State  of  Tennessee, 
through  that  State  to  the  Valley  of  the  French  Broad,  and 
from  thence  across  the  mountains,  into  this  State, — or  whe- 
ther it  would  be  easier,  to  scale  the  southern  extremities  of 
tiie  Alleghanies  at  any  other  point,  or  to  turn  them,  by  ex- 
tending the  Road  through  INashvdie  to  the  Muscle  Shoals  on 
the  Tennessee  River,  and  thence  by  Florence  through  Ala- 
bama and  Georgia,  to  a  junction  with  our  Raii-Road, — 
are  all  grave  questions,  to  be  determined  only  by  the  most 
careful  examination.  Tliat  it  must  be  practicable  by  some 
one  of  these,  or  by  some  other  route,  to  eficct  our  object, 
we  cannot  entertain  a  doubt.  The  distance  from  Cincinnati 
to  Charleston  in  a  straight  line  is,  supposed  to  be  about 
500  miles.  Tlie  Charleston  Rai!-Iioad,  extending  to  Ham- 
burg opposite  to  Augusta,  on  the  J^avannah  River,  (already 
completed  and  now  in  full  operation)  is  13Gmiles  in  length, 
nearly  too  in  the  direction  of  Cincinnati,  from  which 
place,  a  Rail-Road  extend mg  to  Paris  in  Kentucky,  a 
distance  of  near  90  miles,  is  about  to  be  ui  dertaken  with 
every  prospect  of  its  speedy  completion.      The  distance 


12 


between  these  two  points  in  a  direct  line,  cannot  much  ex- 
ceed 300  miles  ;  but  supposing  the  whole  extent  of  the  road 
by  the  easiest  and  most  practicable  route,  to  be  700  miles, — 
which  will  certainly  be  making  ample  allowance  for  devia- 
tions from  a  straight  line,  there  would  remain  to  be  made, 
after  the  completion  of  the  Road  to  Paris,  but  474  miles, 
which  at  an  eslimated  expense  of  $12,500  a  mile,  (which  is 
more  than  double  the  cost  of  the  Chaileston  Rail-Road.) 
would  amount  to  no  more  than  $6,000,000,  a  sum,  whick 
if  doubled,  would  still  be  within  the  means  of  the  rich  and 
populous  States,  through  which  it  must  pass.    We  refrain 
from  enlarging,  on  the  practicability,  or  probable  expeme 
of  the  proposed  work,  because  we  are  unwilling  to  in- 
daige  in  speculative  views,  where  it  is  our  purpose  imme- 
diately to  institute  such  practical  inquiries,  as  must  result 
in  affording  us  certain  data,  on  vvliich  to  rnake  our  cal- 
culations and  estimates.    We  have  no  hesitation,  however, 
in  expressing  our  entire  confidence,  in  the  practicability,  of 
connecting  the  West  and  the  South,  by  a  line  of  Rail-Roads 
extending  from  the  Ohio  to  the  Atlantic,  and  we  trust  that 
this  may  be  effected  at  a  cost,  not  disproportionate  to  the 
magnitude  of  the  object.    Modern  experience  has  shewn, 
that  of  all  modes  of  communication,  Rail-Roads  are  at 
once  the  cheapest — the  easiest  of  constrijction — the  least 
liable  to  interruption,  from  vicissitudes  of  the  seasons,  and 
changes  in  the  weather,  most  easily  repaired — and  affording 
by  means  of  steam  and  locomotive  engines,  the  quickest,  and 
most  certain  communication,  for  all  commercial  purposes  and 
personal  intercourse,    It  has  also  been  fully  proved,  "  that 
they  can  be  carried  over  Mountaiiis,  across  Rivers,  and  in- 
deed over  any  surface  where  a  horse  can  obtain  foothold, 
through  marshes  and  swamj)s,  where  horses  would  sink  and 
perish,  and  by  aid  of  machinery,  up  declivities,  which  a  horse 
could  not  climb." 

Assuming  therefore,  as  we  think  we  safely  may,  that  the 
proposed  route  will  be  found  pi'acticable — we  proceed  to  con- 
sider very  briefly  its  IMPOHTANCE,  in  a  commercial,  social, 
and  political  point  of  view.    The  immediate  and  necessary 


13 


consequence  of  connecting  tlie  valley  of  the  Ohio  witli  tl»e 
Atlantic,  by  a  line  of  Rail  Roads,  extending  from  Cinci.v- 
NATi  to  Charleston,  would  ije,  to  lay  open  to  our  citizens 

THE  E  'TIIIE   TRADE  OF   THE   GREAT  We.-T,  and  tO  fumish 

to  the  inhabitants  of  those  vast  regions,  the  rich  productions 
of  the  South.    If  we  looUe.d  no  farther,  than  to  the  invival 
€Xch'.i-'g'e:i  of  tlie  productions  of  the  Soutl),  for  those  of  the 
West,  ev  en  such  a  trade,  would  be  of  imnienr  e  value  to  both 
parties.    Tho  igh  ail  commerce,  must  from  its  very  nature, 
be  advantageous  to  those,  who  continue  to  carry  it  cn — yet 
by  far  the  most  profitable  and  desirable,  is  that,  which  ena- 
bles the  inhabitants  of  dijfftrent  climates^  to  exchanoe  those 
productions,  which  are  j^tC^/Z/rtr  1o  each,  on  terms  mutnally 
benencial ;  and  such  an  intercourse,  must  derive  additional 
value,  from  the  consideration,  that  it  is  established  among 
friends;  the  citizens  of  one  common  countiy,  brethren  of 
the  same  j)olitical  family.    Such  is  the  intercourse,  which  it 
is  now  proposed  to  establish  between  the  South  and  the  West. 
The  great  productions  of  tiie  South,  are  Cotto.^'  and  Rice, 
articles  that  can  only  be  produced  by  slave  labour.  The  West 
may  be  appropriately  designated,  as  a  Provision  Coun- 
try, producing  fnostly  by  free  lal)our,  grain  and  meat,  in  the 
greatest  abundance,  and  on  tne  cheapest  possible  terms.  It 
.  is  stated  that  Cincinnati  alone,  has  shij^ped  in  one  year  for 
other  ports,  !3,i>00  barrels  of  Flour,  84,500  barrels  of  Pork, 
17, 000, Olio  pounds  of  Bacon,  and  259,000  kegs  of  Lard,  and 
it  would  be  no  exaggeration  to  say,  that  could  the  West  find 
a  ready  market  for  all  such  productions,  no  limit  could  be  as- 
signed to  their  amount.    In  exchanging  the  Cotton  and 
Rice  of  the  South,  for  Western  products,  each  country  would 
furnish  the  other,  with  those  articles  which  they  are  enabled 
from  peculiarities  of  soil,  climate,  and  institutions,  to  pro- 
duce most  cheaply  and  abundantly,  and  thus,  as  each  would 
be  enabled  to  command  a  greater  amount  of  consun)able 
articles,  than  could  otherwise  possibly  be  obtained — the  com- 
fort and  happiness  of  the  whole,  would  be  essentially  pro- 
moted.   One  of  the  first  fruits  of  such  an  intercourse,  would 
be,  the  establishment  of  such  manufactures  in  the  West,  as 


14 


would  require  no  jyrotcction  for  their  support,  and  for  which 
we  would  chiefly  furnish  the  raw  material.  These  exchanges, 
extensive  and  profitable  as  they  unquestionably  must  be, 
would,  however,  bear  but  a  small  proportion  to  that  vast 
FOREIGN  TRADE,  to  which  this  intercourse  would  necessarily 
lead.    To  give  some  idea  of  the  extent  of  this  trade,  we 
deem  it  proper  to  call  public  attention  to  what  in  the  docu- 
ments before  us,  is  called  "the  continental  connexions,"  which 
it  vvould  establish.  Our  Rail-Road,  leading  to  the  Ohio  River, 
would  of  course  connect  us  with  all  the  States  bordering  on 
that  River,  viz  :  Ohio,  Kentucky,  Indiana,  and  Illinois,  Wes- 
tern Virginia  and  Pennsylvania,  embracing  the  rich  valleys 
of  the  Great  Kenhaway.  the  Monongahela,  and  Alleghany 
Rivers.    The  Ohio  and  Erie  Canal  already  finished,  (run- 
ning nearly  through  the  centre  of  the  State,  from  Portsmouth 
on  the  Ohio  River,  to  Cleveland  on  Lake  Erie),  and  the 
Miami  and  Maumee  Canal,  now  in  progress  from  Cincin- 
nati to  the  Lake — would  throw  open  to  us  the  entire  com- 
merce OF  Lake  Erie.    "  With  the  Miami  Canal,  the  Erie 
and  Wabash  Canal,  will  unite  at  Fort  Wayne,  and  this,  to^ 
gether  with  the  Rail-Road  already  begun  from  Laurenceburg 
(at  the  mouth  of  the  Great  Miami)  to  Indianapolis,  will  carry 
us  into  the  very  heart  of  I;n'D1  ana— while  the  Mad  River  and 
Sandusky  Rail-Road,  from  Dayton  to  the  Lake,  which  has 
already  been  commenced,  would  connect  us  with  the  entire 
CHAIN  OF  Northern  Lakes  from  the  Falls  of  Niagara  to 
the  Straits  of  Mackinac,  and  even  with  Green  Bay  on  the 
Western  shore  of  Lake  Michigan,  including  the  Eastern 
border  of  the  Wisconsin  Territory  ;  North  or  maratime  Illi- 
nois, and  Indiana  ;  the  whole  of  the  Michigan  Territory,  and 
a  part  of  Upper  Canada."  While  lastly,  the  Ohio  River,  run- 
ning from  Cincinnati  into  the  Mississippi,  would  connect  us 
with  Missouri  and  the  vast  unsettled  country,  watered  by 
the  Mississippi  and  Missouri  rivers,  extending  almost  to  the 
foot  of  the  Rocky  Mountains.    The  mind  is  almost  over- 
whelmed, by  the  contemplation  of  the  extent  and  magni- 
tude of  the  trade  which  must  in  the  course  of  time  be  thrown 
into  our  hands,  should  the  proposed  communication  be  estab- 


15 


lished.    The  time  is  rtof  distant,  when  this  vast  Western  re- 
gion will  be  occupied  by  an  industrious  population  of  20  mil- 
lions of  people,  and  when  their  numerous  and  diversified 
productions — their  lead  and  iron,  coal,  salt,  slate,  gypsum, 
provisions,    and  manufactures,    nay  even  the    furs  from 
the  extreme  North-West,  (all  of  which  are  now  in  a  great 
measure,  cut  off  from  a  profitable  market,)  will  be  brought 
with  great  facility  to  our  doors ; — there  to  be  exchanged 
not  merely  for  the  Cotton  and  Rice  and  other  produc- 
tions of  our  own  soil,  but  for  the  productions  of  the  East 
and   West-Indies,   and  of  Europe, — nay,  of  the  whole 
civilized   world.    It  is  in    this  aspect,   that   the  subject 
presents  itself,  in  the  most  interesting  and  striking  point  of 
view.    Should  Charleston  become  the  great  mart  for  the 
productions  of  the  West,  the  consequence  would  be  inevita- 
ble, that  the  extension  of  her  Foreign  trade  must  keep  pace 
with  this  internal  commerce.    The  Sugar  and  Cofl^ee  of  the 
West-Indies, — the  various  manufactures  of  Great-Britain, — 
the  Silks  and  Satins  and  Wines  of  France,  the  Spices  of  the 
East, — nay,  the  productions  of  the  wliole  Globe,  will  be 
brought  here,  to  be  exchanged  either  for  our  productions,  or 
those  of  the  West, — for  the  supply  either  of  our  own  wants, 
or  the  wants  of  our  Western  brethren.  We  shall  not  attempt 
to  depict  the  unbounded  wealth,  and  prosperity  that  must 
flow  in  upon  us,  from  such  an  extension  of  our  commerce. 
Should  Charleston  be  destined  Lo  become  the  cOxMMERCIAL 
EMPORIUM  OF  THE  SOUTH, — to  which  her  peculiar  position 
seems  justly  to  entitle  her,  it  will  hardly  be  considered  extra- 
vagant to  anticipate,  that  she  must  speedily  attain  a  rank 
among  the  cities  of  this  Union,  second  only  to  that  of  ISew- 
York.  In  the  abundant  prosperity  tiowing  from  such  a  source 
all  classes  of  our  fellow-citizens  would  participate.  Our 
PLANTERS, — from  an  increased  demand  for  their  produc- 
tions, and  the  variety  and  cheapness  of  their  supplies  ; — our 
MERCHANTS, — in  the  vast  extension  of  their  commercial  ope- 
rations, and  the  estabUshment  of  a  direct  intercourse  with 
Europe,  both  for  imports  and  exports, — in  the  place  of  that 
circuitous  trade  by  which  so  large  a  portion  of  their  profits 


are  now  diverted  into  other  channels ; — our  mechan- 
ics,— by  tlie  increased  demand  for  ships,  and  houses, 
and  the  various  productions  of  mechanical  labour  and  in- 
genuity, required  by  a  thriving  and  growing  population  ; — 
and  our  capitalists,  and  Piit/FESsiONAL  men,  in  the  uni- 
versal impulse  which  will  be  given  to  industry  in  all  the  pur- 
suits of  life.  Nor  will  these  advantages  be  confined  to  Ckar- 
Icsloti.  Extending  from  this  city,  they  would  soon  embrace 
the  whole  State,  and  the  neigkbo tiring  States,  and  the  entirf 
region,  tljrough  which  the  proposed  road  would  pass.  All  in- 
deed who  should  thereby  be  afforded  a  better  market  for  their 
productions,  or  who  might  enjoy  encreased  facilities  of  inter- 
course, would  participate  largely  in  its  benefits. 

It  is  in  the  order  of  a  wise  and  beneficent  Providence, 
that  in  the  various  wants  of  mankind,  in  the  varied  pro- 
ductions of  different  countries,  and  climates, — and  the  diver- 
sified pursuits  which  necessarily  result  from  these  causes, — 
there  should  be  found  strong  and  enduring  bonds  of  union, — 
and  powerful  incentives  to  the  cultivation  of  the  social  vir- 
tues, and  benevolent  affections.  The  advantages  of  the 
proposed  work  in  this  point  of  view,  are  peculiarly  striking. 
It  is  a  painful  reflection,  that  the  pe6p!e  of  the  South  and 
the  West,  know  almost  as  little  of  each  other,  as  they  do  of 
the  inhabitants  of  Europe,  and  this  unfortunate  state  of 
things  must  continue,  until  inducements  shall  be  held  out  to 
greater  intimacy,  by  increased  facilities  of  intercourse.  A. 
Rail-Road,  which  shall  enable  the  citizens  of  Charleston  and 
Cincinnati,  of  Lexington  and  Knoxville,  to  visit  each  other, 
and  return  home  in  the  course  of  a  few  days,  would  multiply 
those  cords  of  sympathy,  by  which  tnen's  hearts  are  united, 
and  from  which  spring  all  the  gentle  charities  of  life.  The 
natural  effect  of  all  this,— in  strengthening  the  bonds  of  our 
POLITICAL  UNION — will  be  felt  by  every  one,  who  reflects  on^ 
the  influence  of  social  intercourse  in  smoothing  asperities,  re- 
moving prejudices,  and  binding  us  together,  by  those  social 
ties,  which  are  ainong  the  strongest  bonds  of  society.  In  one 
point  of  view,  these  considerations  assume  an  im[)ortance,  to 
which  too  much  weight  cannot  possibly  be  given, — we  allude 


17 


to  the  effect  which,  such  a  connexion  must  have  upon  the 
peculiar  institutions  of  the  South.    Slavery,  as  it  now  exists 
in  the  Southern  States,  which  we  all  feel  and  know  to  be 
essential  to  the  prosperity  and  welfare, — nay — to  the  very 
existence  of  these  States,  is  so  little  understood,  in  other 
portions  of  the  Union,  that  it  has  lately  been  assailed,  in  a 
spirit,  which  threatens, — unless  speedily  arrested, — to  lead 
eventually  to  the  destruction  of  the  Union,  and  all  the  evils 
which  must  attend  so  lamentable  an  occurrence.    We  be- 
lieve, that  the  establishment  of  such  an  intercourse  with  the 
Western  States,  as  is  now  proposed,  would  have  a  powerful 
tendency  to  avert  this  dire  calamity.    Kentucky,  Tennes- 
see and  Missouri,  are  slave-holding  States,  and  we  shall 
certainly  be  greatly  strengthened,  by  being  brought  into 
close  connexion  with  them, — nor  can  we  doubt  that  Ohio, 
Indiana,  and  lUinois,  (where  the  fanatical  anti-slavery  spi- 
rit is  as  yet  almost  unknown,)  as  well  as  the  other  New 
States,  destined  ere  k)ng  to  spring  up  in  the  Northwest,  would 
riot  only  become  reconciled  to  our  institutions,  (by  becoming 
better  acquainted  with  them)  but  w^oukl  also  be  interested 
in  defending  and  maintaining  them.    Indeed,  for  all  purpo- 
ses of  mutual  protection  and  defence,  Rail-Roads,  may  well 
supply  the  place  of  standing  armies,  since  it  enables  a  coun- 
try acting  on  the  defensive,  to  command  almost  immeiliate- 
ly,  the  services  of  their  friends  and  allies^  whenever  they 
may  be  needed  :— while  such  Roads  can  never  be  converted 
to  the  purposes  of  an  invading  army,  from  the  extreme  faci- 
lity, with  which  the  intercourse  afforded  by  them  can,  be 
cut  off.    Rail-Roads  can  only  exist,  while  dispensing  bles- 
sings, or  affording  protection  ; — they  can  never  be  used  as 
the  instruments  of  war  aud  conquest, 

We  have  thus  far,  treated  this  euterpiize,  as  limited  m 
its  objects,  to  merely  opening  to  us  a  communication  with 
the  West,  and  thereby  enabling  us  to  participate  in  that 
commerce  from  which  w^e  are  now  almost  entirely  excluded. 
But  from  the  statements  contained  in  the  documents  before 
us,  there  is  every  reason  to  believe,  that  Charleston  po3»- 


18 


sesses  some  peculiar  advantages,  which  will  entitle  her 
to  com5nancl  a  larger  share  of  this  trade,  than  rightfully 
belongs^  to  any  other  city  in  the  Union.  It  seems  to  be  al- 
most certain,  that  the  proposed  road  will  afford  to  the  Wes- 
tern States,  the  shortest,  easiest,  and  cheapest  communica- 
tion with  the  Atlantic — and  by  means  of  the  Atlantic,  with 
all  foreign  nations.  On  this  branch  of  the  subject,  we  are 
aware  that  we  cannot  furnish  any  information  so  satisfacto- 
ry, as  that  w^hich  is  contained  in  the  statements,  of  Messrs. 
E.  D.  Mansfield,  and  J.  S.  Williams. 
Mr.  Mansfield  says — 

"  The  distance  in  comparison  with  other  routes  to  the 
Atlantic,  may  be  stated  in  round  numbers  as  follows  : 

1.  From  Cincinnati  to  Lexington  or  Paris,  about  80  miles* 

2.  Thence  to  Cumberland  Gap,      -       -       130  " 

3.  Thence  to  the  junction  of  French  Broad, 

Uc,  52  " 

4.  Thence  by  the  French  Broad  and  Saluda 

to  Columbia,  (S.  C.)  -       -       -       -       215  " 

5.  Thence  to  Charleston,       -       -       -       130*  " 

Total  distance,     -       -       -       -  G07 


Tke  distance  from  Cincinnati  to  New- York  by 

way  of  the  Lake,       -       -       -       -       950  miles 

distance  to  Philadelphia  by  the  way  of  Pitts- 
burg, 850  " 
Distance  to  Baltimore  by  the  way  of  Wheeling,  650  " 
Distance  to  Mobile  by  the  valley  of  the  Ten- 
nessee,    ------       780  " 

Thus  we  perceive  that  assuming  Cincinnati  as  the  cen^ 
jre, — and  it  is  the  central,  as  respects  the  Ohio  River, — the 
Charleston  route  is  340  miles  nearer  to  the  sea-board  than 
by  the  New- York  route  ;  240  nearer  than  by  Philadelphia  ; 
40^  nearer  than  by  Baltimore  ;  and  170  nearer  than  by  Mo- 
bile.   In  respect  to  time^  the  difference  is  quite  as  striking. 


*Only  110  miles  by  the  State  Road. 


19 


Allowing  12  miles  an  hour,  an  average  rate  for  frtight 
cars,  and  a  reasonable  allowance  for  stoppages,  the  time  re- 
quired to  transport  goods  from  Charleston  to  Cineinati,  will 
not  exceed  60  hours — 2  J  days — say  3  days.  Now  to  trans- 
port goods  from  New-Orleans  to  Cincinnati,  wiU  require 
under  the  most  favourable  circumstances,  10  days;  from 
New- York,  10  or  12 ;  from  Philadelphia,  8  or  10  ;  and  from 
Baltimore  with  the  aid  of  a  Rail-Road  over  the  Mountains, 
4  days." 

To  this  Mr.  Williams  adds  : — "  The  same  inducements 
that  would  cause  Charleston  to  obtain  her  supplies  by  way 
of  the  Rail-Road,  would  make  her  the  shipping  port  for  most 
of  the  Exports  of  this  country  destined  for  Europe,  or  the 
Eastern  States.  One  half  of  the  Flour  and  Pork  of  Ohio, 
now  finds  a  port  at  New-York,  after  traversing  800  miles  !:>y 
Canal — Lake — Canal  again,  and  river.  Might  not  Char- 
leston step  forword  and  take  a  share  in  this  important  trade  ? 
Again  the  Eastern  and  European  Goods  which  we  receive 
via  New- York,  Albany,  Buftkloe,  Cleveland  and  Portsmouth, 
travel  1100  miles  from  New- York  to  Cincinnati  by  two  Riv- 
ers, two  Canals  and  the  Lake.  Could  not  Charleston  com- 
pete with  this  upon  700  miles  of  Rail  Road  7  Is  the  harl)Our 
and  enterprize  of  that  Cit}',  so  inferior  to  those  of  New- York  f 
Further,  the  Merchandize  we  receive  from  Philadelphia 
travels  by  two  Rail-Roads,  two  Canals,  and  one  River,  850 
miles,  would  not  a  Rail-Road  and  Charleston  Harbour,  he 
better  than  this  line  and  the  Delaware  Bay?  Further  still, 
from  Baltimore  via  Pittsburg,  should  the  Baltimore  and 
Ohio  Rail  Road  terminate  there,  to  Cincinnati  would  be 
about  800  miles,  would  the  Chesapeake  Bay  and  this  line  of 
transportation,  be  preferred  to  700  miles  of  Rail- Way 
We  should  think  not. 

With  these  facts  before  us,  is  it  possible  for  any  class  of 
our  citizens  to  be  indifferent  to  the  vast  and  magnificent 
project  now  under  consideration?  W^e  may  surely  appeal 
with  entire  confidence,  to  all  the  people  of  this  State,  for 
-their  cordial  co-operation  and  support.  If  any  additional 
ineentive  were  waating,  to  excite  an  ardent  zeal  m  tliis  no- 


20 


ble  enterprise,  this  would  be  suppled  by  the  example  of  our 
Sister  States,  all  of  whom  seem  to  be  fully  aware  of  the  vast 
importance  of  this  trade,  and  are  even  now  making  the 
most  active  and  determined  efforts  to  secure  it  to  themselves. 
Unless  therefore,  we  put  in  our  claims,  at  once,  they  will 
certainl}^  be  overlooked,  or  disregarded  :  to  remain  inactive, 
is  to  lose  the  prize.    A  bare  enumeration  of  some  of  the 
great  works  now  in  progress,  or  in  contemplation,  for  the 
purpose  of  commanding  this  trade,  will  be  sufficient  we  trust 
to  admonish  the  citizens  of  South-Carolina,  of  the  impossibi- 
lity of  their  remaining  stationary,  while  all  around  them 
are  pressing  eagerl}^   forward,  unless  we  are  prepared 
utterly  to  disregard  our  own  interests,  and  to  sacrifice  our 
well  earned  reputation.    New- York  is  now  at  work,  con- 
structing a  Rail-Road  parallel  to  her  Erie  Canal,  the  entire 
length  of  the  State; — Massachusetts  is  engaged  in  extending 
h(^r  Boston  and  Worcester  Rail-Road  to  Albany.  Philadel- 
phia "  has  scaled  the  mountains  by  Rail-Roads  and  Canals;'* 
Maryland  has  her  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Rail-Road -Wash- 
ington is  "menacing  the  Alleghanies  with  the  Chesapeake 
and  Ohio  Canal;" — Richmond  has  projected  a  Rail-Road 
from  that  city  by  the  way  of  Lynchburg  to  Knoxville,  in 
Tennessee,  and  in  conjunction  with  North-Carolina,  ano- 
ther from  Danville,  by  the  head  waters  of  the  Roanoake  to 
the  Mississippi.    The  Cape-Fear  and  Yadkin  Rail-Road, 
which  is  designed  to  pass  by  Fayette ville  to  Beatty's  Ford 
on  the  Catawba,  will  assuredly  find  its  ultimate  destination 
in  the  Valley  of  the  Tennessee.    Coming  further  South,  we 
find  Georgia  prejecting  a  Rail-Road  fi*om  Savannah,  by  Ca- 
haba,  in  Alabama,  to  Memphis,  on  the  Mississippi, — a  dis^ 
tance  of  700  miles.    Alabama  is  also  intent  on  the  construc- 
tion of  a  Rail-Road  from  Mobile  to  Nashville ; — while  the 
great  Nashville  and  N.  Orleans  Road — a  part  of  which  has  been 
already  contracted  for,  (and  w^bich  is  to  extend  650  miles,)  it 
expressly  designed,  to  bring  the  entire  commerce  of  the  West; 
down  to  New-Orleans,  by  an  easier,  cheaper  and  more  cer- 
tain transportation,  than  that  afforded  by  the  River  Missis- 


21 


sippi.  In  addition  to  all  this,  it  appears  by  a  Report  of  Lt. 
Col.  Long  of  the  Topographical  Engineers,  laid  bciore  Con- 
gress at  their  last  session,  that  no  less  than  three  great 
routes  have  been  already  explored  for  the  purpose  of  con- 
necting the  Atlantic  with  the  Mi.^sissijypi,  at  Memphis  in  the 
State  of  Tennessee; — one  of  which, — designated  as  "the 
Chesapeake  and  Mississi[)pi  Rail-lioad,"  and  extending  from 
the  head  of  Chesapeake  Ba}'  to  the  Mississippi  River,  will 
be  nearly  a  thousand  miles  in  extent,  and  is  estimated  to 
cost  $25,000,000.  We  cannot,  however,  here  even  enu- 
merate all  the  works  of  this  description  now^  in  contenjpla- 
tion.  The  whole  country  is  full  of  them.  The  spirit  of 
improvement  is  every  where  abroad,  and  all  around  us  is 
bustle,  and  animation,  and  life.  And  for  what  puj'pose  it 
has  been  well  asked  *'is  all  this?"    To  secure  the  rich 

PRODUCTS  OF  THE  GREAT  VALLEYS  OF  THE  WeST.  The 

experiment  says  the  document  before  us  so  far  as  it  has  been 
3'et  tried,  "has  not  failed  :  New-York  has  enriched  herself 
by  it.  Philadelphia  is  doing  so.  Baltimore,  Washington 
and  Richmond  icish  to  do  it^  and  Charleston  may,  if  she 
enters  for  the  prize.  She  stands  in  the  front  rank, 
and  she  will  enter  the  list  when  she  finds  the  course  clear 
for  Southern  competition,  and  she  will  win.  Compare 
the  Nashville  and  New-Orleans  Rail-Road,  ]-)arallel  with  a 
River  capable  of  carrying  500  tons  in  one  load,  from  point 
to  point,  with  the  work  we  are  advocating,  along  no  naviga- 
ble stream.  Compare  the  easy  access  of  Charleston  to  the 
©pen  Atlantic  with  that  of  New-Orleans,  by  120  miles  of 
river,  and  650  of  dangerous  Gulf  navigation^  and  the  differ- 
ence is  conspicuous.*  Will  Nashville,  will  Tennessee  take 
that  direction  at  all  ^  Will  she  prefer  600  miles  of  Rail- Way , 
through  other  States,  that  will  dehver  her  produce  in  an  un- 
healthy climate,  between  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  and  the  Reefs 
of  Florida,  to  joining  our  road  from  Knoxville,  when  she  will 

•  It  has  been  estimated,  that  the  annual  !o$f!cs  from  Shipwreck  alone,  on  the 
coast  of  Florida,  would  exceed  the  interest  on  the  cost  of  a  Rail-Road  from  the 
Atlantic  to  the  Mississippi;  and  if  the  amounl  thu$  icasted  could  ht  saved,  wotA 
in  a  few  years  defray  th«  entire  expense  •f  snch  a  n  ork. 


22 


arrive  at  open  sea  with  less  distance  ?  Will  she  prefer  t© 
|)ay  other  States  her  fare,  when  hy  a  road  through  the  cen- 
tre of  her  own,  she  can  rise  to  wealth  and  importance  hy 
the  transit  of  her  merchandize  ?  Nay,  we  cannot  think  so. 
Nashville  will  find  it  to  be  her  interest  to  unite  with  Charleston 
and  Cincinnati,  and  by  a  union  of  effort  accomplish  a  work 
that  will  at  once  raise  three  or  four  States  above  midway 
importance.  And  who  can  say  that  within  ten  years  from 
this  day,  a  route  from  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio  by  Nashville, 
Knoxville,  and  Charleston,  will  not  only  be  the  shortest  and 
safest,  but  the  cheapest  route  to  Europe  from  the  upper  Mis- 
souri THE  FAR,  FAR  WeST." 

With  these  statements,  we  submit  the  question  to  our  fel- 
low-citizens, whether  they  can  consent  to  stand  idle,  while 
all  around  them — alive  tothe  importance  of  this  great  trade — 
are  seen  straining  every  nerve  to  secure  it  to  themselves  ?  If 
we  are  content  to  remain  stationary,  while  all  others  are  on 
the  advance,  we  must  of  course  be  left  far  behind.  We  are 
fully  convinced,  however,  that  this  will  not,  and  cannot  be 
the  case.  No  where  in  the  Union  has  a  greater  impulse  been 
given  of  late  to  the  pubUc  mind,  than  in  South-Carolina, 
and  especially  in  the  city  of  Charleston.  The  spirit  of 
jtaterprise  has  been  awakened.  The  tide  of  public  and 
private  prosperity,  is  setting  in  upon  us,  with  a  mighty  flood 
— all  is  life,  activity  and  animation  around  us,  and  we  every 
where  see — Improvement.  Party  strife  and  political  dis- 
aentions,  have  too,  in  a  great  measure,  happily  ceased,  and  it 
only  now  remains,  that  we  should  take  advantage  of  these 
favourable  auspices,  to  push  our  fortunes  to  a  glorious  con- 
summation. Let  us  then,  fellow-citizens,  one  and  all,  re- 
solve, to  signalize  this  happy  era  of  returning  good  feeling 
and  general  prosperity— by  laying  the  foundations  of  a 
mighty  work,  which  will  be  a  blessing  to  our  country — 

A  RICH  treasure  TO  OUR  POSTERITY,  AND  IN  ALL  TIME  TO 
COME,  AN  ENDURING  MONUMENT  OF  OUR  ENTERPRISE, 
WISDOM  AND  PATRIOTISM. 




1.  RESOLVED,  Tliat  entertaining  these  views,  the  citi- 
zens of  Charleston,  are  ready  and  wilUng,  cordially  to  co- 
operate with  the  citizens  of  Cincinnati,  and  all  others,  who 
may  feel  an  interest  in  the  extension  of  a  Rail-Road,  from 
this  City  to  the  Ohio  River,  by  the  most  advantageous  route. 

2.  Resolved,  That  in  order  to  afford  the  highest  evidence 
of  our  determination,  to  enter  upon  this  great  enterprise  in 
a  t)ef;oming  spirit,  a  Committee  of  Correspondence,  to  con- 
sist of  seven  persons,  be  appointed  to  correspond  with  such 
persons  in  this  State,  or  in  other  States,  as  may  feel  a 
common  interest  with  us  in  this  matter, — with  a  view  to  ob- 
tain and  extend  inf()rmation,  and  to  bring  about  a  cojicert  of 
action,  so  as  to  secure  the  adoption  of  the  most  efficient  mea- 
sures, for  the  exploration  and  survey  of  the  proposed  routes, 
in  order,  that  the  contemplated  Road,  should  it  be  found 
practicable,  may  be  commenced  at  an  early  day. 

3.  Resolved,  That  said  Committee  be  also  authorized,  in 
behalf  of  the  City  of  Charleston,  to  employ  one  or  more 
competent  persons,  to  enter  inimediately  upon  the  proper 
e\plorations, — with  instructions  to  co-operate  with  such 
other  [)ersons  as  may  be  appointed  by  the  Legislature  of 
this  State,  or  the  citizens  of  other  States,  for  the  purpose  of 
making  such  explorations,  or  surveys,  as  may  be  deemed 
necessary,  in  order  to  determine  the  practicability,  cost,  and 
proper  route  of  the  proposed  Road. 

4.  Resolved,  That  as  the  contemplated  Rail-Road  must  oe 
of  vast  importance  to  the  City  of  Charleston,  and  is  closely- 
connected  with  the  interests  of  all  classes  of  our  fellow-citi- 
zens,— it  is  just  and  proper  that  the  expenses  incident  to  the 
duties,  hereby  imposed  upon  the  Committee  of  Correspon- 
dence, should  be  paid  out  of  the  City  Treasury,  whereby 


I 


24 


our  citizens  will  contribute  towards  the  same  in  proportioB 
to  their  means; — and  the  City  Council,  be  and  they  are 
hereby  accordingly,  requested,  to  put  at  the  disposal  of  said 
Commiltee,  the  sum  of  five  thousand  dollars,  should  so  much 
be  required ;  to  be  accounted  for  by  them,  to  the  City  Trea- 
surer. 

5.  Resolved,  That  the  Legislature  be  requested  to  appoint 
proper  jjersons,  in  behalf  of  this  State,  to  make  such  surveys 
as  may  by  them  be  deemed  necessary, — with  instructions 
to  act  in  concert  with  such  other  persons  as  may  be  em- 
ploj^ed  by  us,  or  by  others  interested  in  this  work,  and  that 
they  be  also  requested,  to  make  a  liberal  appropriation  to 
cover  the  expense. 

6.  Resolved,  That  the  citizens  ol  Charleston  will  be  pre- 
pared to  send  delegates  to  any  Convention  that  may  be  call- 
ed in  reference  to  the  proposed  Rail-Road,  and  that  the 
Committee  of  Correspondence  be  authorized  to  appoint  de- 
legates to  represent  this  City,  whenever  such  a  Convention 
shall  be  convened. 

7.  Resolved,  That  the  following  persons,  viz: — Robert 
Y.  Hayne,  James  Hamilton,  Charles  Edmondston, 
Charles  J.  Colcock,  Thomas  Bennett,  Ker  Boyce, 
and  Alexander  Black,  be  appointed  a  Committee  of  Cor- 
respondence, (with  power  to  fill  up  vacancies)  to  carry  in- 
to effect  the  foregoing  Resolutions,  and  that  these  proceed- 
ings be  published  in  the  Gazettes,  and  also  in  Pamphlet 
form  for  general  distribution,  and  that  a  copy  be  also  fur- 
nished to  the  Governor,  with  a  request,  that  the  same  may 
be  laid  before  the  Legislature. 

Which  Address  and  Resolutions  being  read  and  con- 
sidered, were  unanimously  adopted  by  the  meeting. 
On  motion  of  H.  A.  Desaussure,  Esq.,  it  was  also 
Unanimously  Resolved,  That  the  thanks  of  the  citizens  be 
presented  to  the  Committee,  for  their  able  and  highly  satis- 
factory Report. 

EDWARD  W.  NORTH,  Cfuiirman 


Thos.  D.  Condy,  Secretary^ 


A  P  Pl^ili  I>IX 


A. 

From  the  Souihcni  Review,  yovemher,  1828,  Vol.  11.  p.  485. 
From  the  mouth  of  the  Tennessee  river  to  Florence,  just  behjw  the 
Muscle  Shoals,  where  the  steam-boat  navigation  now  terminates,  the 
ascendina:  voyage  consumes  from  two  to  three  clays.  From  the  junction 
of  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  to  the  mouth  of  the  Tennessee,  scarcely  one. 
From  Florence,  a  rail-road  of  three  hundred  and  forty  miles,  without 
ha%ang  to  encounter  any  interposing  mountains,  or  cross  any  formidable 
streams,  will  reach  Augusta.  From  Augusta,  Savannah  is  distant  one 
himdred  and  twentj%  Charleston  one  hundred  and  forty  miles.  Thus 
then,  the  products  of  the  Western  country,  whether  descending  the  White 
river  or  the  mighty  stream  of  the  Missouri,  whether  floating  aloag  the 
current  of  the  Mississippi,  or  its  tributary  branches,  many  of  them  noble 
rivers,  and  like  the  Illinois,  flowing  through  territories  of  exuberant  and 
inexhaustible  fertihty ;  whether  descending  along  the  stream  of  the  Ohio 
itself,  or  any  of  its  secondary  waters,  will  only  have  to  pause  in  their 
descending  progress,  turn  against  the  current  of  the  Tennessee  for  two  or 
three  days,  and  then  in  forty  or  sixty  hours,  according  to  the  rate  at  which 
carriages  shall  be  made  to  travel,  may  be  placed  in  Angusta,  on  naviga- 
ble water  flowing  into  the  Atlantic,  or  in  another  day,  on  continued  rail- 
roads, may  be  delivered  in  Charleston  or  Savannah,  in  Atlantic  ports 
possessing  every  advantage  that  mercantile  enterprize  may  require.  Six 
days,  therefore,  of  uninterrupted  travelling  may  take  produce  from  the 
confluence  of  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi  to  the  shores  of  the  Atlantic ;  in 
live  days,  a  return  cargo  may  be  delivered  at  the  same  point.  It  appears 
to  us,  that  no  one  position  on  the  Atlantic  shore  of  the  United  States, 
offers  equal  advantages  to  the  commerce  of  the  Western  country — to  that 
commerce,  we  mean,  which  will  embrace,  and  is  connected  with  all  the 
waters  of  the  Mississippi  and  its  branches,  to  the  north  of  the  Arkansa. 
We  know  of  no  other  course  in  which  so  few  obstacles  will  interpose,  no 
other  on  which  there  will  be  so  short  a  distance  to  ascend  against  a  cur- 
rent. The  New- York  Canal  opens  a  prodigious  intercourse  with  the 
lakes,  and  with  all  the  streams  which  flow  into  those  magnificent  basins; 
is  has  thrown  unbounded  treasures  into  the  lap  of  the  commercial  caj>ital 
of  our  country ;  but  the  regions  connected  with  the  Valley  of  the  Missis- 
sippi, are  more  extensive,  more  fertile,  more  populows  Hew  and  Vjcrea^- 
♦ng  more  rapidly  ia  tkeir  populati»*. 


2^ 


From  the  confluence  of  the  Ohio  and  Mississippi,  the  distance  (calcula- 
.fced  from  one  of  Tanner's  maps)  to  different  points  on  the  sea-coast,  is  as 
jfoUows: — 

To  Savannah,       ~  525  miles- 

Charleston,      -       -       -       -       -       -  551 

Richmond,       ------  596 

Washington,     ------  660 

Bahimore,  687 

Philadelphia,  780 

The  route  from  P^lorence  to  Augusta,  would  pass  some  distance  soutii 
(Df  the  termination  of  the  Alleghany  mountains,  and  cross  the  Coosa, 
/Talapoosa,  and  Chatahouchie,  while  they  are  yet  near  their  sources.  It 
•^ould  run  through  a  fertile,  healthy,  and,  where  not  occupied  by  the  In- 
dians, a  populous  country.  All  other  routes  to  the  Atlantic  coast,  except- 
ing one  further  to  the  south,  would  cross  many  ridges  of  mountains,  where 
roads  could  only  be  opened  at  great  expense.  In  times  of  peace,  this  out- 
let to  the  western  commerce  may  be  considered  as  comparatively  unim- 
portant, the  great  bulk  of  it  will,  undoubtedly,  float  along  its  natural  and 
poble  channel.  But  in  war,  when  the  mouth  of  a  single  river,  nay,  even 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico  itself,  can  be  easily  closed  by  a  naval  power,  such  ^li 
access  to  the  Atlantic  coast  may  become  of  immense  value. 

B. 

Advantages  of  Charleston. 

Among  the  advantages  possessed  by  Charleston,  over  the  other  cities  of 
Ihe  Union,  as  a  commercial  emporium  for  the  productions  of  the  West, 
are  the  following : — 

1st.  A  shorter  distance.,  as  has  been  already  shewn. 

2d.  "  Its  proximity  to  the  ocean  (and  to  the  West-Indies,)  facility  of 
access,  at  all  seasons  of  the  year,  and  its  spacious  and  secure  harbour ;" 
freedom  from  ice  in  winter,  and  comparative  safety  from  storms,  are  also 
advantages  which  should  not  be  overlooked. 

A  Rail-road  terminating  here,  would  certainly  be  less  liable  to  inter- 
ruption durmg  winter  than  any  line  of  communication  by  Roads  or 
Canals  further  north.  Over  any  city  south  of  this  (on  the  Atlantic) 
Charleston  would  possess  decided  advantages,  from  its  position  on  tht 
ocean — its  larger  population  and  capital,  its  sujierior  accommodations  af- 
forded by  extensive  and  well  constructed  wharves,  and  store-houses;  the 
|kcility  Avith  which  vessels  can  be  repaired,  and  obtain  supplies  of  every 
description,  and  the  fact,  that  a  Rail-road  has  been  already  constructed, 
leading  from  this  City  towards  the  West,  one  hundred  and  thirty-six 
miles. 

Over  New-Orleans — Charleston  would  have  the  advantage  of  being 
nearer  to  the  sea,  and  especially,  in  being  relieved  from  that  intricate 
^d  dangerous  gulf  navigation,  which  is  attended  by  such  an  ftrrmeitKe 


•27 

»iMiiial  loss  of  lives  and  property.  It  has  been  estimated,  that  hal  a 
millioa  of  dollars,  are  yearly  lost  on  the  Florida  Cape.  It  is  understood 
"  that  vessels  can  make  three  voyages  to  and  from  Charleston  and  Eu- 
rope in  the  same  period  of  time  consumed  in  making  two  voyages  to  and 
from  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  and  Europe.  In  the  latter,  vessels  pass  in  their 
passage  out  near  Charleston,  a  part  of  the  distance  requiring  ten  or  fifteen 
days,  and  the  passage  home  is  longer,  and  more  intricate  and  dangerous." 
Charleston  is,  moreover,  decidedly  more  healthy  than  New-Orleans,  and 
we  are  confident,  at  least,  as  healthy  as  any  City  to  the  South  or  North 
of  us.*  But  it  is  in  a  period  of  war,  that  Charleston  would  possess  ^he 
most  decided  superiority  over  New-Orleans.  XV'hat  would  become  of  the 
commerce  of  the  West,  in  the  event  of  the  Guii  of  Mexico  being  occu- 
pied by  the  naval  force  of  an  enemy  ?  In  that  event,  an  internal  com- 
munication between  the  West  and  the  Atlantic,  by  a  Rail-road  to  Charles- 
ton, would  be  of  incalculable  value.  From  the  nature  of  our  coast,  a 
coastwise  blockade  for  any  length  of  time,  especially  in  winter,  is  imprac- 
ticable, our  trade,  therefore,  would  continue  open,  while  that  through  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico  would  be  sealed  up. 

*  This  is  fuUv  proved  from  the  following  statements: — The  Bills  of  Mortality  of  the 
Cily  of  Charleston  for  the  last  five  years  to  1832,  inclusive,  exhibit  3,611  deaths  in  a 
population  of  35,000,  which  on  an  average,  is  722  per  annum,  being  one  in  every  48 
47-100,  or  a  little  over  2  per  cent.  For  the  year  1832,  the  deaths  were  only  560,  which 
IS  otie  in  every  62  41-100.  The  statements  for  the  subsequent  years  are  not  at  hand, 
but  it  is  believed  they  will  shew  even  more  favourable  results.  The  Marine  Hospital 
Record  Book  furnishes  the  following  statement  of  the  number  of  admissions  and 
deaths,  for  each  succeeding  year,  from  October,  1827,  to  October,  1832. 

Admissions.  Deaths. 

From  October  1827  to  1828      -      -      -      319      -      -      -      -  26 

"         "       1828  to  1829      -      -      -      248      -      -      -      -  11 

"         "        1829  to  1830      -      -      -      295      -      -      -      -  ^ 

»         "        1830  to  1831      ...      265      -      -      -      -  19 

«         «        1831  to  1832      ...      227      ....  10 


Total,      -      -      -  1,354 
any  City  in  the  Viiion  rnake  a  more  favourable  exhibit  ? 


I 


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